A research and development and manufacturing hub based on a new generation of specialty glass products for the global science and medical equipment market was announced at the University of Adelaide today.

The hub is part of a new landmark collaboration agreement between Trajan Scientific and Medical (Trajan) and the University of Adelaide, and supported by the State Government.

The strategic collaboration will help Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) researchers commercialise their research into products that ultimately benefit human health and wellbeing.

A/Prof Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem, IPAS Deputy Director will be leading the collaboration with Trajan including the development of a range of specialty glasses and fibres to be used in the medical industry.

“Trajan’s skills in manufacturing – including processes and systems, quality control, and logistics – combined with our research expertise and facilities will enable transition of research outputs from the University and its partners into commercial manufacturing,” says Professor Mike Brooks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

“This exciting collaboration will also open up new opportunities for research and accelerate the development of a significant cluster of photonics companies in South Australia. To be able to ensure our work is applied to real-world situations is a hugely exciting outcome and it will cement our position as a global leader in light, glass and optical fibre research.”
The products have the potential to be utilised in a wide range of medical and scientific applications including genetic testing, biomarker discovery and detection, environmental analysis, food safety testing, and testing for drugs of abuse and therapeutic drug monitoring.

“Trajan’s global operations and customer base, partnered with the international standing IPAS enjoys as a centre of excellence in photonics and specialty glass technologies, means this collaboration will provide an incredible global platform to promote South Australia,” says Stephen Tomisich, Chief Executive Officer of Trajan.

“Trajan believes it is essential to grow an IP-based Australian industry, and aims to lead the way in partnering with Australian academia and government to realise this.”

Minister for Health Jack Snelling said the State Government was pleased to support this partnership and had provided $346,000 in funding to help set up the new facility.

“Health Industries SA and the Department of State Development have played an important role in supporting the University of Adelaide and Trajan in identifying wider opportunities for the company to grow their presence in South Australia,” Mr Snelling said.

“This is a great example of an interstate company recognising the leading research underway in South Australia and setting up premises to tap into that capability and drive greater innovation within their business.”

Prof Mike Brooks, Minister Kyam Maher, Prof Andre Luiten

Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation Kyam Maher said photonics is a key enabling technology that manufacturers are being encouraged to adopt to improve competitiveness via the State Government’s Manufacturing Works Strategy, along with nanotechnology and medical devices.

“Technologies like photonics can enhance a firm’s capacity to innovate in its products, manufacturing processes, capital equipment and engineering systems,” Minister Maher said.

“I’m pleased that Trajan has obviously recognised South Australia’s potential as a global centre of excellence for advanced photonics technologies and I welcome their investment in our state.”

The strategic partnership grew from the Photonics Catalyst Program – a joint initiative between the State Government and IPAS to build connections between SA industry and emerging laser and sensing technologies. Key to the partnership is the presence of the Optofab Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility at the University.

Trajan’s focus is on developing and commercialising technologies that enable analytical systems to be more selective, sensitive and specific for biological, environmental or food related measurements – especially those that can lead to portability, miniaturisation and affordability.